Independent Candidate Wants Balance on Council

Judd Mandell says the reason he is running for Hillsborough Township Committee as an independent is he doesn’t want to help Democrats or Republicans, but Hillsborough in general.

“I am running as an independent because I have gone to planning, board of ed, as well as township committee meetings and I realize that they are doing a good job but not all residents are represented,” Mandell said. “I think we can do better in what I am trying to bring to Hillsborough to help increase their scope of vision. With my skill set of logistics and solution based thought, I can recognize additional opportunities and threats that they may not see now.”

Mandell is attempting to gain election to one of two seats on the committee in November's election. He will be taking on Republicans Carl Suraci, an incumbent and current mayor, and Gregory Burchette, and Democrats Michael Goldberg and Jim Farley.

“I don’t have political experience and am not trying to gain any,” Mandell said. “I want to finish with township experience. I just want to serve the township committee the best I can.”

What he lacks in political experience, he says he makes up for in other areas. Mandell has a degree in environmental planning and design, with studies in landscape architecture.

“I have been involved in numerous leadership positions as a child and have always worked well in a group setting,” he said.

While he says he knows he has a tough road ahead, he thinks that the residents are already backing him as he tries to change the current state of leadership, which he says is mainly focused on the Republican side.

“I think that I have a challenge ahead of me, but as I go door-to-door I feel the support because the township also realizes there is a lack of balanced leadership,” he said. “Right now, it’s mostly focused on the Republican theory; I wan’t to change that.”